Islamabad : It was disclosed in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had given Rs 9 billion to his son-in-law Capt (R) Muhammad Safdar ,Federal Minister Sheikh Aftab and Senator Saud Majeed without prior approval of parliament
The meeting of the committee was held the chair with Chairman Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah in the Parliament House.
The committee reviewed the audit objection of fiscal year 2015-16 of Cabinet Division. The officials of Cabinet Division told the meeting that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had granted Rs 9 billion to Standing Committee headed by Sheikh Aftab Ahmed and comprised of Capt (Retd) Safdar and Saud Majeed. The officials added that object to sanction Rs 9 billion was to complete the development schemes.
Chairman Awami Muslim League and member of the committee Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that granting of Rs 9 billion to Capt (Retd) Safdar was a illegal initiative and this matter should be probed.
“If these funds were granted to government officials, they would be held accountable but these funds were given to politicians which is open fraud”, he added.
The objection raised by Sheikh Rashid has caused dispute between PML-N parliamentarian Mian Mannan, but on the interference of Chairman of committee this matter has been settled.
Naveed Qamar, member of the committee said that development schemes were formed later and funds released first which is injustice adding that planning division has powers regarding release of development funds.
The PAC has unanimously decided that the expenditure of Rs 9 billion should be probed and sought the details of Rs 9 billio.
In the meeting, audit officials told the committee that Nawaz Sharif government had made the payment of Rs 28 billion to power companies without purchasing electricity and it should be investigated at high level. These payments were made to power companies including Jamshoro Power Company, Northern Generation Power Company and other private power companies. The committee has disposed of the audit objection while giving directions on the implementation of recommendations.
The Secretary Water and Power told the meeting that an agreement has been signed with Iran for the purchase of more 100 MW electricity which 70 MW electricity is already being purchased from Iran adding that this electricity would fulfill the energy requirements of Gawadar and Balochistan.
Secretary Energy Nasim Khokhar told the meeting that the landline and technical losses worth Rs 280 are being collected from consumers adding that WAPDA officials do over billing to hide the theft of electricity adding that legislation has been made to check the over billing which positive results would come out.
He added that Chinese companies are completing the water and power projects in Gawadar which would be completed in next four years adding that Chinese companies are also launching various development projects under agreements signed between Pakistan and China governments.